Bald

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have bald spots on my head.  I’m very worried because they’re getting bigger. What treatments are available to me?

Trish

Dear Trish,

Alopecia areata (AA), sometimes called “spot baldness,” is an autoimmune disease.  Simply put, your own cells attack your hair follicles.  If there are few spots, the best course would be to do intralesional steroid injections – meaning the medicine is delivered directly into the spots.  However, this is not easily cured after one injection.  Multiple injections may be necessary before results are seen.

Steroid creams have poor penetration on the scalp area and will not yield fast and good results.  Go see your PDS dermatologist, who will likely also investigate causes of the alopecia.  Anesthesia creams can be applied on the area to avoid the sting of the needle before the procedure is started. Good luck!

Dear Dr. Jen,

How do I know if I’m really allergic to chicken or some food?  My mom thinks that I may be allergic to chicken but when I eat chicken it’s not always that the rashes on my hands appear.  I occasionally get bumps on my hands and it is super duper itchy! My doctor gave me an ointment to use which helps.  But then the bumps appear on and off.  How do I go about this?

Nikka

Dear Nikka,

Rashes on the hand can be allergies, eczema or even fungal in nature.  If your PDS derma is suspecting infection, simple tests can be obtained at the laboratory. But if allergies are entertained, identifying the allergen is half the battle. Allergens that come from food can be tested, likewise contact allergens.  Chicken and seafood might be the usual culprits, but it might be worthwhile to test other sources too.

Once the allergen is identified, staying away from the cause can give your hands a break from all the peeling and itching. Anti-inflammatory creams and antihistamines can help but if the allergen triggers keep coming, then it will be an unending cycle.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.